Thiago Alcantara

[adrianr]

Clichy counts as homegrown mate, so that's 9 and then there's Guidetti too if he is part of the senior squad next season.

We don't actually have to have any English/homegrown players in the squad but if we didn't that would restrict us to a squad of just 17.

In other words we can have a maximum 17 non-homegrown players.

Hope that allays the fears regarding having enough English players.

I don't believe we'll sell Barry either.

Richard Wright would count as homegrown too right? Of the English players, I can only see Lescott and Sinclair leaving. The club aren't stupid, they will meet basic requirements such as having enough homegrown players.

Yep, I thought Cheadle_hulmeBlue had mentioned him, sorry. That makes ten in all if we're including Guidetti.

Wright's contract is finished in August, not sure we're going to renew but may give Johansen his place.

Anyway, back on topic, I think Thiago would be a great addition but I wonder if our interest is genuine or are we using it as a bargaining chip for Fernandinho whilst at the same time keeping his value high so the Rags don't get him for less than his buy-out clause.

He was only ever moving for his buyout clause, it's nothing to do with us and the rags. He goes for the buyout or doesn't go at all. The rags could try and throw a 10m bid in but they'll be told to kindly get bent.

 

[FrancoisToure]

Anyway, back on topic, I think Thiago would be a great addition but I wonder if our interest is genuine or are we using it as a bargaining chip for Fernandinho whilst at the same time keeping his value high so the Rags don't get him for less than his buy-out clause.

Our interest better be genuine. This is Thiago we are talking about. More than enough room for both in the squad. Folks need to remember that we have had a small squad the past few seasons. We easily need to add 5 players (who actually play--not Sinclair types) to the squad to compete in all four competitions. We ran into injury problems at times last season that made it tough to even put out a starting 11 and a bench when we effectively were out of two of the competitions very early on. If our aspirations are to play 60+ games a season, we need more players.

 

[Ray78]

If we meet the buy out clause then there is nothing Barcelona can do to stop the deal from happening. This was one of the reasons why Barcelona have been pissy with us imo.

 

[Rolee]

Anyway, back on topic, I think Thiago would be a great addition but I wonder if our interest is genuine or are we using it as a bargaining chip for Fernandinho whilst at the same time keeping his value high so the Rags don't get him for less than his buy-out clause.

Our interest better be genuine. This is Thiago we are talking about. More than enough room for both in the squad. Folks need to remember that we have had a small squad the past few seasons. We easily need to add 5 players (who actually play--not Sinclair types) to the squad to compete in all four competitions. We ran into injury problems at times last season that made it tough to even put out a starting 11 and a bench when we effectively were out of two of the competitions very early on. If our aspirations are to play 60+ games a season, we need more players.

I don't disagree mate but with the calibre of player we're talking about here it's going to be tough to keep the egos in check but on the flip side we also need competition for places to keep complacency away.

We also need to leave room to integrate youngsters.

It's going to be fascinating to see the make up of the squad come the start of next season.

 

[FrancoisToure]

Anyway, back on topic, I think Thiago would be a great addition but I wonder if our interest is genuine or are we using it as a bargaining chip for Fernandinho whilst at the same time keeping his value high so the Rags don't get him for less than his buy-out clause.

Our interest better be genuine. This is Thiago we are talking about. More than enough room for both in the squad. Folks need to remember that we have had a small squad the past few seasons. We easily need to add 5 players (who actually play--not Sinclair types) to the squad to compete in all four competitions. We ran into injury problems at times last season that made it tough to even put out a starting 11 and a bench when we effectively were out of two of the competitions very early on. If our aspirations are to play 60+ games a season, we need more players.

I don't disagree mate but with the calibre of player we're talking about here it's going to be tough to keep the egos in check but on the flip side we also need competition for places to keep complacency away.

We also need to leave room to integrate youngsters.

It's going to be fascinating to see the make up of the squad come the start of next season.

And that is why we are signing the best man-manager on the planet :)

 

[Rammyblues]

Just a rule of thumb I always go by, these 5 or 6 players we are buying are all Pellegrinis therefore they form the basis of his first Xl. IMO, yes Aguero and Silva may start and others such as Nasri, Rodwell Milner etc will get games but in essence the squad is being changed to new tactics and new manager, anyone given a chance will have to bloody well earn his place and ensure it can't be taken off him. It is what real management is all about keeping 25 players happy when there are only 11 places on the pitch, a further seven warming the bench and 8 players sitting in the stands.

Hart

Zab
Kompany
Noveretti/Marquihos/Pepe
Clichy

Alicantara
Fernandhino

Yaya
Isco

Navas
Cavani

 

[FrancoisToure]

Just a rule of thumb I always go by, these 5 or 6 players we are buying are all Pellegrinis therefore they form the basis of his first Xl. IMO, yes Aguero and Silva may start and others such as Nasri, Rodwell Milner etc will get games but in essence the squad is being changed to new tactics and new manager, anyone given a chance will have to bloody well earn his place and ensure it can't be taken off him. It is what real management is all about keeping 25 players happy when there are only 11 places on the pitch, a further seven warming the bench and 8 players sitting in the stands.

Hart

Zab
Kompany
Noveretti/Marquihos/Pepe
Clichy

Alicantara
Fernandhino

Yaya
Isco

Navas
Cavani

To quibble just a bit...I would say they at Tixki's...though I agree we are buying them for the starting 11 (CB should be the exception...I don't see how you improve upon Nasty) . My point though is that Tixki will have a big say about who currently at the club is also in that regular starting 11.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Just a rule of thumb I always go by, these 5 or 6 players we are buying are all Pellegrinis therefore they form the basis of his first Xl. IMO, yes Aguero and Silva may start and others such as Nasri, Rodwell Milner etc will get games but in essence the squad is being changed to new tactics and new manager, anyone given a chance will have to bloody well earn his place and ensure it can't be taken off him. It is what real management is all about keeping 25 players happy when there are only 11 places on the pitch, a further seven warming the bench and 8 players sitting in the stands.

Hart

Zab
Kompany
Noveretti/Marquihos/Pepe
Clichy

Alicantara
Fernandhino

Yaya
Isco

Navas
Cavani

No Nastasic, Silva or Aguero?

 

[Rammy Blue]

Just a rule of thumb I always go by, these 5 or 6 players we are buying are all Pellegrinis therefore they form the basis of his first Xl. IMO, yes Aguero and Silva may start and others such as Nasri, Rodwell Milner etc will get games but in essence the squad is being changed to new tactics and new manager, anyone given a chance will have to bloody well earn his place and ensure it can't be taken off him. It is what real management is all about keeping 25 players happy when there are only 11 places on the pitch, a further seven warming the bench and 8 players sitting in the stands.

Hart

Zab
Kompany
Noveretti/Marquihos/Pepe
Clichy

Alicantara
Fernandhino

Yaya
Isco

Navas
Cavani

No Nastasic, Silva or Aguero?

lol.

Think my alter-ego has been at the cooking sherry.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Just a rule of thumb I always go by, these 5 or 6 players we are buying are all Pellegrinis therefore they form the basis of his first Xl. IMO, yes Aguero and Silva may start and others such as Nasri, Rodwell Milner etc will get games but in essence the squad is being changed to new tactics and new manager, anyone given a chance will have to bloody well earn his place and ensure it can't be taken off him. It is what real management is all about keeping 25 players happy when there are only 11 places on the pitch, a further seven warming the bench and 8 players sitting in the stands.

Hart

Zab
Kompany
Noveretti/Marquihos/Pepe
Clichy

Alicantara
Fernandhino

Yaya
Isco

Navas
Cavani

No Nastasic, Silva or Aguero?

lol.

Think my alter-ego has been at the cooking sherry.

oh you rammy twins eh!